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Therapy ends. Done well, the ending is part of the treatment. Done badly, it’s abandonment, which is both an ethics violation and a real harm.

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Planned termination

When a client has met their goals or is ready to stop:
  • Plan the ending over several sessions where possible.
  • Review progress, what worked, and what the client will do if things get hard again.
  • Document a termination summary: reason, status at termination, recommendations, and referrals.
  • Tell the client they can return.
  • Tell the front office so the record is closed properly.

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When you need to end it

Sometimes you’ll need to end services: the client’s needs are outside your competence, the relationship isn’t working, a boundary has been crossed, the client isn’t engaging, or the client’s behavior makes continued work unsafe. In those cases:
  1. Consult Helen first. Ending services is a significant decision and she owns client-acceptance decisions.
  2. Give the client notice in session, with reasons stated respectfully.
  3. Provide referrals. At least two or three appropriate options, with contact information.
  4. Offer a transition period, typically two to four weeks of continued sessions or availability for emergencies, unless safety makes that inappropriate.
  5. Put it in writing to the client: the ending, the date, the referrals, and emergency resources.
  6. Document all of it.

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Non-engagement

A client who stops showing up hasn’t terminated; the record stays open until you close it properly. After two missed sessions without contact, the front office reaches out per SOP 07. If there’s no response after reasonable attempts, send a closing letter with referrals and emergency resources, and document. Consult Helen for at-risk clients before closing.

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Referring at intake

If a new client isn’t a fit for you, say so early and route them through the front office. You aren’t required to see anyone you don’t think you can help. That’s a strength of the practice, not a failure.

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Abandonment

Abandonment is ending services without adequate notice, referrals, or transition when the client still needs care. It’s the thing this page exists to prevent. When in doubt, provide more transition, not less, and consult.

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When you leave the practice

Your clients are the practice’s clients. How they’re transitioned when you leave is in Return of property and client transition.